SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) seeks public comment on a request by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to provide an exemption from the state’s fish passage requirements at a fish barrier culvert on an unnamed tributary to South Umpqua River, located on Interstate 5 at mile post 115.95 in Douglas County, Ore. Comments are due by Dec. 7, 2017.

ODOT plans to construct a new climbing lane to improve safety in the corridor, which will require widening the road and extending the culvert. This action has triggered Oregon’s fish passage laws. The fish passage exemption application and the Department’s net benefit analysis are available at the links below:

Members of the public have until Dec. 7, 2017 to submit written comments on the proposed plan. Please send written comments to, or request additional information from Pete Baki, ODFW/ODOT Fish Passage Liaison, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97303, email: pete.a.baki@state.or.us or by calling (503) 947-6234.